Peres marks 88th birthday

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli President Shimon Peres marked his 88th birthday with a full working schedule.

During a meeting Tuesday with the Chinese military chief, Gen. Chen Bingde, the general offered his birthday wishes to Peres.

"Your health is not only a blessing for Israel, but also for world peace and peace and stability in the Middle East." Bingde said.

Bouquets of flowers and birthday cards have been arriving at the President’s Residence, Israel Hayom reported, and birthday wishes are expected to be delivered from world leaders.

On Tuesday evening, Peres will be the guest of honor at a festive ceremony celebrating 110 years since the founding of the Galilee village of Kfar Tavor. The ceremony will start with a birthday celebration, including 100 children from the village who will sing Happy Birthday and present him with a birthday cake.

Peres was born in Poland on Aug. 2, 1923, according to biographical data provided on the Knesset Web site. But he marks Aug. 16, or his Hebrew birthday of Av 20, as his birth date.

Peres was elected in 2007 to serve as the president of Israel. If Peres completes his full seven-year term, he will become the world’s oldest ever head of state.